28 Ways to Become a Little Greener in 2010

Image found via Little Lost Love

If you want some ideas on how you can start living an even greener, cleaner life this new year, perhaps this list will help. I've written down all the best green discoveries I made during 2009 (or earlier) and hopefully some of the actions will help or inspire you! Any more tips or suggestions would be welcome as I love learning about ways to tread more lightly and kindly on the planet. Thank you!

1. Start the day the organic way. I love organic weetabix (Doves Farm Organic's Whole Wheat Cereal Biscuits) and organic oat milk.
2. If you prefer to whip up a smoothie or juice at breakfast time, why not try using a glass straw from Glass Dharma?
3. Enjoy a healthy morning drink of hot water, one tsp of organic apple cider vinegar and one tsp of organic honey (and reuse tea cup throughout the day to save washing).
4. To conserve water, I only fill the jug with as much water as I need.
5. I also turn the tap off when brushing my teeth and washing my hands.
6. I constantly praise the power of the coconut. Organic and fair trade coconut oil is truly pure and makes an excellent moisturiser for the face and body (its also great as an eye make up remover).
7. I won't lie, finding an organic and natural shampoo that worked as well as a mainstream, popular shampoo has been challenging. The one that has impressed me the most has been Green People's Intensive Repair Shampoo.
8. I haven't used a conditioner for ages, preferring instead to massage my scalp and locks with coconut or almond oil with lavender before washing the oils out with shampoo.
9. I've switched from a body wash to a bar of soap to save on excess plastic packaging. I love Dr. Bronner's Citrus Orange Organic Bar Soap made with sustainably sourced palm oil.
10. I brush my teeth with Preserve's toothbrush made in the USA from recycled plastic. I favour organic and natural toothpastes from Green People or Weleda.
11. Keep your makeup pretty but natural. My cosmetic staples include Lavera mascara, All The Better To Kiss You With Lip Balm in Chai Mandarin, Perfect Organics' Lip and Cheek Shimmer in London, Borlind Eyeliner and Intelligent Nutrients Aromatic Spray in Awaken.
12. For clothing, I shop at vintage stores, eco boutiques or online eco stores and sites such as Etsy. I don't actually shop too much as I try to be creative with the clothes I already own.
13. I've been chuffed with the vintage fashion I've found at my local Oxfam store and places such as It's A Wrap in LA. I've picked up great scarves, cardigans, jackets, dresses and shoes that are unique and were sold at bargain prices!
14. Whether I'm shopping for groceries or clothes, I proudly and stubbornly use my reusable bags.
15. Instead of a plastic or aluminium water boter, try reusing a glass bottle.
16. Keep your home and yourself healthy by spritzing a bottle of water filled with eucalyptus essential oil around the house, bedrooms, bathrooms and on television remotes and door handles.
17. Steam inhalations with eucalyptus essential oil also keep me healthy during winter (as well as spoonfuls of honey and salt water gargles).
18. Reuse glass jars for storing food in your fridge and freezer.
19. Bless bicarbonate of soda! It can clean your house, whiten teeth, remove tea stains from cups and can even be used as a deodorant.
20. Deal with aches and pains with essential oils and apple cider vinegar. For headaches try rubbing lavender onto the temples neat and for stomach cramps during that time of the month, try lavender and sweet almond oil. Peppermint oil mixed with any base oil is also great for any other tummy trouble. Apple cider vinegar can be swiped over aching muscles to ease discomfort.
21. Peppermint oil can also be sprinkled on organic cotton wool and left around the kitchen or house to keep mice and the like away.
22. Hang a mesh bag in your closet filled with fresh rosemary or broken cinnamon sticks to keep moths away. Lavender sprinkled organic cotton wool also helps.
23. Do your laundry on the lowest temperature and try using soap nuts. Add a splash of vinegar for a natural fabric softener and remember to try and dry your clothes naturally.
24. Dust the house with e-cloths.
25. Try using olive oil on wooden furniture. I love how it makes everything look so polished and shiny.
26. Inspiring website discoveries over the past few months have included Kind Over Matter, Jason Mraz's Freshness Factor Five Thousand and Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Life.
27. Amazing vegan food discoveries during 2009 included Booja Booja Hazelnut Truffles and Ice Creams, Plamil's Organic Orange Chocolate, Zest's Vegan Pesto and Mexican Sauce (for super quick and easy dinners) and dessert treats from The Living Food Kitchen (I could write a song about the deliciousness of their Goji Berry Christmas Pudding and Chocolate Mousse).
28. I love to finish the day, English granny style with a cup of Pukka tea. I absolutely love the Protect tea made with organic jasmine green tea and cardamom.